Bigger Than Us (Part 3)

Introduction

Attention:

What are some examples of some things that it is easy to start doing, but hard to finish?

Buildings/Projects

My Dad’s shed

Tonight, we are finishing the shed.

Need:

Finishing what we started

Bigger than a series

Being a youth group on purpose

Body

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

We exist to be a safe and loving environment, where teens can grow in relationship with God and create lasting friendships with other believers

We are going to be a light in our community.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Mention that this was the passage that we focused on at Winter Conference

What are the “bigger than us” concepts in this passage?

“The light of the world” is bigger than us.

Not just the light of Jerusalem; the light of the world

Not just the light of Hillsborough/Durham; the light of the world.

Representing Jesus around the globe

“A city on a hill” is bigger than us.

We are on display

E.g. passing by a big city at night

It “can’t be hidden”

Faithfulness in Jesus shows itself

Light necessitates action

People are watching us!

A lamp on a stand is bigger than us.

A lamp under a basket is pointless

In the same way, a ministry that isn’t a light to the community is pointless.

Letting our light shine is bigger than us.

We do this by getting involved with the community

“See your good works”

We want people to see us do good in our community and for God to get all the glory

How?

Master’s Garden service project

Once a month service projects

Public schools

What are some other ways we can get involved in the community?

Illustration:

Why does Jesus use the metaphor of “light” to describe doing good?

Light is noticeable

We should do good works that are noticeable

But not so that we are noticed; so that God is noticed!

Application:

Does the idea of being a light in the community make you excited? Bc it should!

What can you do to get more excited about being a light?

What is it going to look like for you to contribute?

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

We exist to be a safe and loving environment, where teens can grow in relationship with God and create lasting friendships with other believers

We are going to be a light in our community.

We want to connect the disconnected.

Matthew 9:10–13 (ESV)

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Explanation:

How does this verse apply to the concept of connecting the disconnected?

Tax collectors = disconnected

Jesus wanted them to be connect them with Him and His mission

Why were the tax collectors disconnected from the Jewish community?

Because they were hated by the Jews.

Why do the pharisees take such issue with the tax collectors?

They served Rome

Abuse of authority for financial profit

So, THAT’S who Jesus is trying to connect

How do you think this verse applies to us as a “bigger than us” youth group?

Not in competition with other youth groups

Plenty of great youth groups in the area (name some of them)

What are some of the primary ways that we can attempt to connect the disconnected as a youth group (the “how”)?

Inviting people to MDWK & other events

This is the main way that we do this

This compliments evangelism (Prayer, Care, Share)

Let’s brainstorm: what is a good way to try to invite somebody that is disconnected to MDWK?

“We have fun on Wednesday nights! You should come.”

“I’ll hang out with you.”

“You would really fit in with our group.”

Show them the invite fliers

Social media

Illustration:

“The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints.”

What does this quote mean?

Jesus came for the lost, broken, and disconnected

We should be about the same thing that Jesus is about.

Application:

Who is God calling you to invite to MDWK?

Write down the names of three people on your handout

Inviting people is a way to live for something that’s bigger than yourself.

So, do it!

And what else can you do to connect the disconnected?

Offer God your time, talent, and treasure

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

We exist to be a safe and loving environment, where teens can grow in relationship with God and create lasting friendships with other believers

We are going to be a light in our community.

We want to connect the disconnected.

We are going to stand for objective truth.

John 17:17 (ESV)

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Explanation:

What does the term “objective morality” mean?

“Objective morality is the idea that right and wrong exist factually, without any importance of opinion.” -verywellmind.com

Talk about objectivity versus subjectivity

What is moral relativism?

“Moral relativism is the view that moral judgments are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint (for instance, that of a culture or a historical period) and that no standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others.” -Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The standard of truth is set by us

As individuals shift

As society shifts

“You have your truth, and I have my truth.”

Moral relativism is the MAJORITY OPINION of Gen Z

Look back at verse

What does John 17:17 have to say about objective morality/moral relativism?

God’s word sets the standard for truth.

Context: Jesus praying before His arrest

Jesus wanted them to understand objective morality.

Morality is not relative; it is objective

We can KNOW and BE CERTAIN of what right and wrong are

This leads to assurance and peace

We want to help teens understand the reality of objective morality

How can we do this?

Tackling difficult issues (abortion, LGBTQ, etc).

Speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

Cross-cultural

Morality is bigger than us

Illustration:

Taking a quiz/test in school

You don’t get to choose which answers are right; the answers are objective

What’s right and wrong is objective; you don’t get a say in it

Application:

Does the thought of standing for truth excite you?

Or does it scare you?

What is it going to look like for you to stand for truth in 2023?

Truth is worth standing for

So take the stand

Conclusion

Visualization

Now, we’re on the same page about this ministry

Its bigger than us

So let’s do youth ministry with that in mind and get excited about it

Reiteration

As we split into small groups, be thinking about the individual part that you have to play in seeing our purpose and mission come about

What is it going to look like for you to take ownership over your role?

Be thinking about that as we split.

PRAY

Small Group Questions:

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 9:10–13 (ESV)

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

John 17:17 (ESV)

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

What are some tings that make it difficult to be a light to our community in 2023?

How can we overcome these challenges in order to be the light that God has called us to be?

What are your thoughts on Jesus eating and hanging out with tax collectors?

Who are some people that God is challenging you to invite to MDWK?

Why is moral relativism something that we should be concerned about?

What are some practical ways that we can stand for truth as a youth group?